Referendum is a way to have voters directly vote on significant final decisions. Referendums can be used to approve or repeal laws, state statutes and constitutional amendments. They may also be used to recall elected officials. Referendums are usually held at the local and state level, although they can be held at the national level.
The word referendum is Latin for “to send back” or “return to the people.” Voters in a referendum are asked to vote on a specific ballot measure, proposal, or course of action. Typically, the answer is yes or no, though there are multiple-choice options and other types of ballots as well.
Voters can be prompted to sign referendum petitions by the government, or they can force a vote on a piece of law passed by their legislature by collecting a certain number of signatures (see citizen initiatives). Mandatory referendums are ones that must be held in certain circumstances, such as joining a supra-national organization like the European Union (either at the state or national level, such as Switzerland).
Another type is the optional referendum, which does not require holding a vote by law. The government might decide to hold such a vote because it is facing pressure to do so from the public, or if it believes it can benefit from a show of democracy. It is possible to combine referendums with other polls such as a general election, but it is often better from an administrative perspective to have separate referendums.